Spring 2021 (moved from main page)

With the continued COVID-19 restrictions meaning we have had to postpone the February Club Show and the AGM, we are still in a challenging position regarding the scheduling of Club events.  The Fun Weekend is booked for Hailey Rugby Club, Witney in Oxfordshire for the 16th – 18th July 2021, but is likely to either run under a different format from previous years or possibly be re-arranged for later in the year.  In addition, the Kennel Club have re-scheduled Crufts over this weekend although luckily ‘Terrier Day’ is on the Thursday this year, so even if both go ahead folk can attend both.  We are planning to hold the AGM during the Fun Weekend; the Committee having had confirmation from the KC that this can be held later in the year than stated in the Club rules.  The next Club Championship Show is scheduled to be held at Shenstone Village Hall on 9th October 2021.  Further information on the Fun Weekend, AGM and Club Shows will be released when we have firm information available. The Accounts to 30th November 2020 have however been finalised and can be viewed on the Members Area of the website.

 

Sadly, an increasing number of Manchester Terriers are being lost far too young due to Renal Failure.  The BMTC have taken steps to find out as much as possible about this devastating disease, and to this end last November the University of Liverpool in collaboration with the British Manchester Terrier Club set up an online questionnaire survey to investigate kidney disease in the Manchester Terrier and any factors associated with this. The survey invited anyone, in the UK or overseas, who currently owns or has owned a Manchester Terrier(s) in the last four years to respond. Owners both of healthy dogs, as well as those affected by kidney disease were encouraged to respond, as having data on both is crucial to being able to determine any associations between different factors and kidney disease. It is also important that we get information on how widespread this issue is.

The University reports that in total 162 owners responded to the survey giving 234 individual dog responses, from the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. Early results indicate that 24 dogs were either reported as currently having renal disease or had sadly died of renal disease in the last four years. Analysis of the results are on-going, however preliminary results indicate a higher occurrence in male dogs of the population surveyed. Following the completion of the study we will make the findings available through the BMTC and for wider circulation.

This research will help better inform us on how common the issue of kidney disease is in the breed, what factors are associated with it and importantly help direct future research with the BMTC, so that we can look at ways of preventing this disease and protecting this vulnerable breed.

The BMTC Virtual Summer Of Fun ran for the second half of 2020 on Facebook, and we are delighted to congratulate the Overall Champion: Carol Wicker.  Carol proved herself to be a true all-rounder, entering and gaining points in every competition bar one, ending up 11 points clear on the Leader Board from joint runners-up Louise Plant and Dubhglas Gray.

 

The first competition was the Fancy Dress (Judge: Judy Thurlow) and Louise Plant dressed up willing members of her family to take two wins.  First place in the Over 18’s was husband Darren with Little Bo Peep and her gorgeous ‘sheep’ and a win in the 12 – 17yrs category for daughter Phoebe with Greased Lightning.  The winner in the under 12yrs section was Doreen Barlow’s entry of Grand-daughter Libby with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.  The next competition was ‘MT’s Got Talent’ judged by the group members, where the winner gaining most votes was Ann Dales with an extraordinary video of Ruddles and Mosel Leapfrogging over each other for a full circle.  The winner of the ‘Member’s Got Talent’ was Carol Wicker with the super-group, The Manchettes.

 

Two items of merchandise were produced as a result of the next two competitions, firstly the 2021 BMTC Calendar with pictures chosen from the Photography Competition.  Judged by Liz Jones and divided into the Four Seasons, the winners of the various sections were: Spring: Maureen Richardson’s Florrie, Summer: Fiona MacDougall’s Dexter, Autumn: Fiona Hart’s Ziggy and Winter: Ann Spain’s Chester & Ronnie.

 

The second item was a Christmas Card featuring the overall winner of the Art Competition, judged by Bev O’Neill and Alison Stafford.  Divided into three age categories, the winners were: Under 10yrs: Elliott Ward, 10 – 18yrs: Ann Murdoch and Adult: Steve Stringer.  The three winning pictures were then voted on by group members to find the overall winner which was Ann Murdoch’s picture of Dubhglas Gray’s Marshal.  The net sums raised were Calendars £558.27 and Christmas Cards £118, our Welfare Account, ‘Friends of The Manchester Terrier’ will benefit from this.

 

The final Competition was the Limit Show, where Judge Christy Straughan chose Louise Plant’s Bruce for Best in Show, Jean Walker’s Pixie for Best Puppy and Bethany Cawley’s Marvin for Best Veteran.  In addition to the Competitions there were an Auction (covered in the last Newsletter), Rally and Obedience challenges, a Raffle, a Meet the Committee feature plus quizzes and puzzles, two of which were in the last Newsletter, as promised answers at the end of this one in case you needed them.  Well done to everyone who entered and thank you one and all for being such jolly good sports!

 

Following requests from members for an Area to easily post, view and then find useful videos in the future, the BMTC have launched an Education Hub on FB.  We have videos from Specialists in Training and Veterinary subjects, a favourite MT Recipes Album plus members are welcome to upload their own videos for help in anything MT related. We are open to any suggestions for information to store in this ‘library’ so please let the Committee know if you feel you could contribute, or if there is a subject you would like to see covered.

 

Finally – Memberships do need to be paid by 1st March.  Thank you to all those that have already paid, for anyone who still requires the information:

Rates: Single £10; Joint/Family/European Membership £15; Rest of the World £20. You can pay by:

Cheque (payable to BMTC) to Membership Secretary: Mrs E Jones, 78 Tamworth Ave., Whitefield, Manchester M45 6AU.

PayPal to secretary@manchester-terrier-club.co.uk  Please select the ‘Family/Friends/Gift portal or the Club has to pay a fee for you.

Bank transfer contact lizjones@hotmail.co.uk for details.

 

 

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